Carrier for bottles and the like



April 1, 1947. M. E, HOLY 2,418,350

CARRIER FOR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug.. 21, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 1, 1947. M. E. HOLY CARRIER FOR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 21, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 fizueniar maze/64 5mg mil April 1, 1947. M. E. HOLY CARRIER FOR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 21, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 M E. HOLY CARRIER FOR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE Flled Aug 21, 1941 A ril 1, 1947.

M ic/iel 51% April 1, 1947. HOLY 2,418,350

CARRIER FOR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 21, 1941 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 J17 zjfc'fiel E JEEQ/ if C Patented Apr. 1, 1947 CARRIER FOR BOTTLES AND THE LIKE Mitchel E. Holy, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Container Corporation of America, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Application August 21, 1941, Serial No. 407,713

Claims. 1

This invention relates to carriers for bottles and like articles and more particularly to collapsible carriers formed of sheet material, such as paperboard or fiberboard.

One object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible carrier that can be formed of relatively light-weight paperboard and that will be relatively strong and durable and at the same time economical of material employed.

Another object is to provide a carrier for bottles and like articles formed from a plurality of parts in an economical manner but having increased strength at certain points where such increased strength is desired.

Another object is to provide a paperboard carrier having partition members disposed between all of the articles to be placed therein without increasing its size beyond that absolutely necessary to accommodate the desired number of articles.

A further object is to provide a carrier of the type described including a finger-engageable portion adapted to be extended for use or retracted in order to reduce the over-all height of the carrier for purposes of shipment or display. Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description thereof read in conjunction with the drawings which form a part of this specification, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one form of carrier embodying the invention when the same is set up for use;

Figure 2 illustrates the same carrier showing the manner in which it is preferably folded fiat for shipment or storage;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the articlecarrying portion of the carrier illustrated in Figure 1, showing the manner in which the various parts thereof are associated;

Figure 4 shows the blank of the article-carrying portion of Figure 3, and also illustrates the first steps in assembling the carrier therefrom;

Figure 5 shows the blank of the handle section of this form of carrier;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a modified form of carrier according to the invention when set up, this modification being characterized by a separate finger-engageable portion adapted to be either retracted into the handle portion or extended for use;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the article-carrying portion of the carrier of Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows the blank from which the finger-engageable portion of the carrier of Figure 6 is formed;

Figure 9 shows the blank from which the handle portion of the carrier of Figure 6 is formed;

Figure 10 shows the blank from which the article-carrying portion of the carrier of Figure 6 is formed;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a third form of carrier embodying the invention;

Figure 12 shows one of the blanks from which the handle section of the carrier illustrated in Figure 11 is formed; and

Figure 13 shows the blank from which the article-carrying portion of the carrier illustrated in Figure 11 is formed.

It will be seen that all of the carriers shown embodying the present invention are constructed from at least two separate paperboard blanks, one of these constituting the article-carrying compartment and the other a handle section whereby the carrier is adapted to be transported, this handle section also serving as a longitudinal partition. Furthermore, the invention contemplates that the carriers made in accordance therewith will include partition members integrally joined to at least one of these blanks and so arranged that they will not interfere with the collapsing of the carrier by swinging movement of the side walls with respect to the handle portion. The invention can best be understood, however, by consideration of the specific examples disclosed herein.

Referring first to the carrier illustrated in Fig ures 1 through 5, the article-carrying compartment thereof generally designated by the numeral 20 is formed from a blank cut and scored as shown in Figure 4 and consists in a bottom panel 2| bisected by a longitudinal score line 22 having integrally joined thereto along parallel score lines 23, a pair of substantially full-sized panels 24 which are adapted to be upwardly folded to act as side walls. Each of the side wall panels 24 has a partial end wall panel 25 hingedly joined at each side thereof along score lines 26 and each of the end wall panels 25 has an attaching flap 2! joined thereto along score line 28 which is provided with a tab portion 29 extending beyond the upper edges of panels 24 and 25. Side wall panel 24 is further provided joined to the central portion of its upper edge along score line 30 with a five-piece partition strip. so arranged that its central portion 3| only is attached to panel 24 and portions 32 and 33 extend in that order from the sides of the central portion 3|. Portions 32, as will be seen, act

3 as transverse partition members and are, therefore, of a length substantially equal to half the width of the bottom panel 20, while portions 3| and 33 are preferably of substantially the same length.

The handle section, the blank of which is illustrated in Figure 5, consists essentially of two similar panels 34 and 35 joined along a fold line 36, each of these panels having adjacent fold line 36 a partially cut-out portion 3'! adapted when folded along score line 38 to be used as a fingerengageable opening as shown in Figure 1. Additional score lines 39 serve to facilitate bending of the upper portion of the panels 34 and 35 to reduce their efiective height during shipment or storage. Panels 34 and 35 are also provided at their ends remote from fold line 36 with slots 40 dividing that portion of panels 34 and 35 into three separate parts or tongues 4|, 42 and 43.

In assembling the carrier, the first operation is to fold the strips including sections 3|, 32 and 33 over upon panels 24 and 25 along score lines 30 as illustrated in the lower right-hand part of Figure 4. Then the attaching flaps 21 are folded over the portions 33 and these are stapled together at a point in registry with the cut-outs 44 in panels 25 so that the staples secure only flaps 27 and portions 33 to each other. Flaps 25 are then folded up along score lines 26 while the portions 32 and 33 are raised, thus giving four tubelike sections at the corners of the carrier. The side wall panels 24 are then folded upwardly along score lines 23 so that the structure appears as shown in Figure 3. It will be seen from this figure that only one partial longitudinal partition is necessary to divide the article-carrying compartment into six completely separate bottlecarrying units. This is supplied by the insertion of the tongues 4 42 and 43 of the handle-carrying portion within the compartment on opposite sides of the sections 33 so that the slots 46 thereof fit over the partition sections 32. The panels 34 and 35 are then placed in close back-to-back relationship as shown in Figure 1 and the staples 45 are driven through them and through the un- The carrier is then in comderlying tabs 29. pletely set-up and usable condition and is adapted to be carried easily when the cut-out portions 31 are pushed to one side as shown.

It is desirable that the carrier be folded to a fiat condition for shipment and this is easily done by swinging the side wall panels 24 to one side while folding the two halves of bottom panel 2| upon themselves along score line 22 as shown in Figure 2. While it is not essential in most instances, the carrier can be additionally strengthened by the use of additional staples 46, these additional staples 46 being driven when the carrier is in its flat form to secure the portions 33 directly to the tongues 4| and 43. It will further be noted that end wall panels 25 are shaped so that their lower edges 41 incline upwardly from the sides to the center of the carrier and this is for the purpose of allowing thebottom panel 2| to be folded upwardly without interference from the end wallpanels 25.

While the assembly of this form of carrier, according to the invention, has been described as being accomplished by one particular procedure, it is obvious that many other procedures and securing means can be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.

A modified carrier construction according to the invention is illustrated in Figures 6 through 10. This construction is very similar to that hereinabove described in many respects and corresponding reference numerals are, therefore, used to indicate corresponding parts. Referring first to Figure 10 which shows the blank of the article-carrying portion 20, it will be seen that this differs from the blank shown in Figure 5 substantially only in the elimination of the tab portions 29 on the attached flaps 21 and the provision of the additional flaps 50 foldably joined to the extreme free edges of the portions 33. In assembling this portion of the carrier, the flaps 2'! are folded upwardly along score line 28 to the position indicated at the lower right-hand corner of Figure 10. Adhesive is then applied to the portions 27 and 50, and to the part of side wall panels 24 immediately adjoining portions 3|. The entire strips including portions 3|, 32, 33.and 50 are folded along score lines 30 over upon the side wall panels 24, end wall panels 25 and flaps 2'! so'that portions 3| are secured to panels 24 and portions 33 to flaps 2'|. Flaps 50 are then folded downwardly and secured to the under side of side wall panels 25. By raising the end wall panels 25 along score lines 26 and then raising the side wall panels 24 along score lines 23, the article-carrying portion 20 assumes the position shown in Figure 7 and is ready for the application of the handle-carrying portion.

The blank of the handle-carrying portion is illustrated in Figure 9 and this consists of two panels 34 and 35 joined along a central score line 3-6, the outward portions of the panels 34 and 35 being divided into tongues 4|, 42 and 43 by slots' 40. A portion of panels 34 and 35 is cut out to provide a central opening 5| tapering off laterally into slots aligned with score line 36, this cut-out portion being adapted to receive the finger-engageable portion 52 formed from the blank shown in Figure 8. The dimensions of fingerengageable portion 52 are such that, when folded along score line 53, the relatively narrow portions 54 containing the partial cut-outs 55 will extend through the cut-out portion 5| while the outer extremities of the relatively wide part 56 will bear against the score lines 36.

To complete the assembly of the carrier, it is only necessary to apply adhesive to tongues 4|, 42 and 43, insert them into the handle-carrying compartment, as already described, and bring the panels 34 and 35 in close back-to-back relationship so that the adhesive on tongues 4| and 43 will secure them to attaching flaps 21 and pertions 33, as shown in Figure 6. The finger-engageable portion 52 is then inserted from one side between the panels 34 and 35 and drawn up through the cut-out portion 5 I. If desired, however, the finger-engageable portion 52 can be inserted through cut-out 5| before tongues 4| 42 and 43 are attached to the article-carrying compartment.

This form of carrier has the advantage that it is set up entirely without the use of staples or similar means, and it is also provided with the convenience of a finger-engageable portion which can be extended for use or retracted between panels 34 and 35 for shipment or storage. It will be understood that the handle and fingerengageable portions of the carrier just described can be substituted for the handle portion illustrated in Figure 5 and will perform their functions equally well when used with the article-carrying portion 20 shown in Figures 3 and 4.

A third form of carrier according to the invention is illustrated in Figures 11, 12 and 13, Figure 12 showing the blank of one of the two handle-carrying portions required and Figure 13 showing the blank of the article-carrying portion. The latter is provided with a bottom panel 60 bisected by a longitudinal score line SI and has side wall panels 62 integrally joined thereto along score lines 63. Each of the side wall panels 62 has partial end wall panels 64 along the lateral edges thereof and each of these partial end wall panels is provided with an attaching flap 65 having an upwardly extending tab 66. The handle portions consist of a main panel 61 having a partial cut-out 68 adapted to receive the fingers of the user. At one end of the panel 61 is a narrow flap 69 separated therefrom by score line 10, and at the other end is a narrow central portion H having a transverse partition member 12 and an attaching flap 13 extending from the lateral edges thereof.

When the carrier is set up as shown in Figure 11, flaps 65 at each end of the carrier are brought into face-to-face relationship, the two panels 61 are placed on either side thereof and all of these elements are secured to each other by means of staples 14. Flaps 69 are folded so as to lie between the panels 61 and these are likewise secured by staples l5. Partition members 12 extend transversely of the carrier and parallel to the end wall panels 64 so as to divide the article-carrying compartment into six parts and the attaching flaps I3 are secured by staples, adhesives or the like to the side wall panels 62 so that this relationship is maintained. Obviously, this form of carrier is also adapted to be folded fiat by swinging the side wall panels 62 either one way or the other with respect to the handle portion panel 61 and simultaneously folding the bottom panel 60 either upwardly or downwardly along score line 6|.

While the invention has been described in connection with certain specific embodiments thereof, it is not desired to be limited thereto, but only by the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A collapsible carrier formed of foldable sheet material comprising an article-carrying compartment including a base panel, two side panels hingedly joined to opposite sides of said base panel, a partition-forming strip hingedly joined at its central section to the central part of the upper edge of each of said side panels, whereby said strip is adapted to be folded down to lie against the inner surface of its associated side panel, each of said partition-forming strips having two cross-partition sections immediately adjoining opposite sides of said central section adapted to be folded and extended approximately halfway across said compartment, and sections immediately adjoining said cross-partition sections adapted to be folded to form partial longitudinal sections, and end panels hingedly joined to each end of each of said side wall panels adapted to extend substantially halfway across the end of said compartment, said end panels having flaps extending from the edges thereof opposite to said side wall panels; a separate handle portion including two panels hingedly joined along a fold which is upwardly disposed when said carrier is in use; and means for securing said partial longitudinal sections and said flaps to the lower part of said handle panels.

2. A collapsible carrier formed of foldable sheet material comprising an article-carrying compartment including a base panel, two side panels hingedly joined to opposite sides of said base panel, a partition-forming strip hingedly joined at its central section to the central part of the upper edge of each of said side panels, whereby said strip is adapted to be folded down to lie against the inner surface of its associated side panel, each of said partition-forming strips having two cross-partition sections immediately adjoining opposite sides of said central section adapted to be folded and extended approximately halfway across said compartment, and sections immediately adjoinin said cross-partition sections adapted to be folded to form partial longitudinal sections, and end panels hingedly joined to each end of each of said side wall panels adapted to extend substantially halfway across the end of said compartment; a separate handle portion; and means for securing said partial longitudinal sections and the edges of said end panels remote from said side wall panels to the lower part of said handle portion.

3. A collapsible carrier formed of foldable sheet material comprising an article-carrying compartment including a base panel, two side panels hingedly joined to opposite sides of said base panel, a partition-forming strip hingedly joined at its central section to the central part of the upper edge of each of said side panels, whereby said strip is adapted to be folded down to lie against the inner surface of its associated side panel, each of said partition-forming strips having two cross-partition sections immediately adjoining opposite sides of said central section adapted to be folded and extended approximately halfway across said compartment, and sections immediately adjoining said cross-partition sections adapted to be folded to form partial longitudinal sections, and end panels hingedly joined to each end of each of said side wall panels adapted to extend substantially halfway across the end of said compartment, said end panels having flaps extending from the edges thereof opposite to said side wall panels; a separate handle portion including two panels hingedly joined along a fold which is upwardly disposed when said carrier is in use, each of said last-mentioned panels having a pair of slots in the lower part thereof to receive said cross-partition sections; and means for securing said partial longitudinal sections and said flaps to the lower parts of said last-mentioned panels adjacent the ends of said compartment.

4. A carrier according to claim 3 wherein said handle portion has an elongated opening along the median portion of said upwardly disposed fold, said carrier being further provided with a fingerengageable member slidably disposed between the panels comprising said handle portion, said finger-engageable portion having one part adapted to be extended and retracted through said opening and other portions adapted to come in contact with said handle portion on either side of said opening when said finger-engageable member is in extended position.

5. A collapsible carrier formed of foldable sheet material comprising an article-carrying compartment, a handle portion and a finger-engageable portion; the article-carrying compartment comprising a base panel, two side panels hingedly joined to the sides of the base panel, a five-section partition strip having its central section hinged to the central part of the upper edge of each side panel and adapted to be folded down against the inner surface of the side panel, each of said partition strips having two sections at each side of the central section hinged thereto and to each other, whereby the sections immediately adjoining the central section can be folded and extended across the carrying compartment to 7 form erossepartition sections and the two end sections' on one strip can be brought into face-toface relation with the two end sections on the other to form partial longitudinal partition sections, and an end pa'nel extending from each end of the side panels, each of said end panels being adapted to c t/end substantially halfway across the end of trigcarrying compartment and being provided at its extremity with an attaching flap for securing the end panel to the outlying partition strip sections; the handl section comprising a separate single panel folded so as to provide two panels with the fold disposed upwardly when the carrier is in use, the lower portions of the handle section having slots therein adapted to receive at least one of the cross-partition sections therein, the lower and outer extremities of the handle section being adapted to overlie the partial longitudinal partition sections for the purpose of enabling the handle section to be secured thereto, the handle section being cut centrally along the fold at the top to form an opening;

adapted to admit the finger-engageable portion; and the finger-engageable portion comprising a partially cut-out section slidably disposed between the handle panels adapted to be extended and retracted through said opening.

MITCHEL E. HOLY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,973,035 Barron Sept. 11, 1934 930,835 Brown Aug. 10, 1909 901,858 Williams Oct. 20, 1908 1,014,081 Miller Jan. 9, 1912 1,949,986 Whalley Mar. 6, 1934 2,273,266 Himes Feb. 17, 1942 2,163,290 Powell June 20, 1939 1,653,633 Koeser Dec. 27, 1927 2,318,807 Slevin May 11, 1943 

